Valve actuators

ABSTRACT

In my former application an angularly movable valve is actuated by a motor driven impact device that imparts a series of hammer blows to the valve handle. In my former application, I utilized a resilient means between the motor and valve to smooth out the motor action by absorbing and storing part of the motor energy for fractions of a second. The present application generally functions on the same principle and differs from my prior structure mainly in the utilization of a simple all-metal mounting bracket for the motor and impact impulse member and a cocking spring which automatically returns the impact member of the actuator to a predetermined position relative to the valve operating lever or point of impact.

United States, Patent [72] Inventor John ,1. Ziccardi,

Evans City, Pa. [21] Appl. No. 2,235 [22] Filed Jan. 12, 1970Continuation-impart of application Ser. No. 627,802, Apr. 2, 1967, nowPatent No. 3,504,684. [45] Patented Jan. 19, 1971 [73] Assignee WilliamB. Jaspert Swanton, Md. a part interest to [54] VALVE ACTUATORS 7Claims, 12 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 251/76 [51] 1nt.Cl ..F16k31/04, F16k 31/10 [50] FieldofSearch 251/76, 133; 310/40, 78, 84

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,551,445 5/1951 Lindsay eta1 251/76X 2,624,363 1/1953 Boller 251/76X m lllllllll! PrimaryExaminer-Henry T. Klinksiek Attorney-William B. Jaspert ABSTRACT: In myformer application an angularly movable valve is actuated by a motordriven impact device that imparts a series of hammer blows to the valvehandle.

In my former application, 1 utilized a resilient means between the motorand valve to smooth out the motor action by absorbing and storing partof the motor energy for fractions of a second. The present applicationgenerally functions on the same principle and differs from my priorstructure mainly in the utilization of a simple all-metal mountingbracket for the motor and impact impulse member and a cocking springwhich automatically returns the impact member of the actuator to apredetermined position relative to the valve operating lever or point ofimpact.

PATENTED JAN 1 9 IBYI SHEET 1 OF 2 INVENTOR. JOHN .Z/c(ARO/ INVENTOR.

JUHNJZICCARD/ BY (ha-"p VALVE ACTUATORS The present invention is acontinuation-in-part of an application Ser. No. 627,802, filed Apr. 2,1967, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,504,684.

DISCLOSURE The invention will become more apparent from a considerationof the accompanying drawings constituting a part hereof in which likereference characters designate like parts and in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view partially in cross section of anactuator for plug valves embodying the novel features of my invention.

FIG. 2 is a similar view in side elevation taken 90 from FIG.

FIG. 3 is a plan view diagrammatically illustrating the relativeposition of the impact member of the actuator of FIGS. I and 2 and theoperating lever of the valve taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. I.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of an adjustable type impact member.

FIG. 5 is a side elevation of the adjustable impact member of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 are a top plan and side elevational view respectivelyof an impact member such as is shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3.

FIGS. 8 and 9 are similar views of a modified form of impact memberhaving impact surfaces formed to deliver unequal initial impact to thevalve operating lever.

FIGS. 10 and 11 are top plan and side elevational views respectively ofstill another modified form of impact surface for delivering equalinitial impact of greater magnitude than that shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.

FIG. 12 is a wiring diagram of the power circuit of the actuator motorand controls.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The L'shaped bracket 53 may beof light gauge steel or other suitable material and need only be strongenough to support the motor and other parts in approximate alignmentwith the valve operating means.

With reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings, the numeral 51generally designates a reversible electric motor of the universal typesupported in approximate alignement with the valve 2 by an L-shapedbracket 53. The armature shaft 54 of the motor 51 is in approximatealignment with the stem 5 of the plug valve 2. Fixed to the armatureshaft 54 of the motor 51 is a disc shaped impact member 57, saidimpact-member having a shoulder which I refer to as an impact surface orsurfaces designated by the numeral 58 on the one side, relative to itsposition with respect to the valve operating lever, and 580 on theopposite side, impact surface 58 being the one to open the valve; 58abeing the one to close the valve. The impact member 57 is securelyaffixed to the armature shaft 54 of the motor 51 by a steel dowel pin54a.

Mounted on the stem 5 of the valve 2 is an operating lever 8; upon thevalve housing 2 is provided a stop lug 10 against which stops 9 and 9a,integrally formed with lever 8 abut thus permitting angular movement ofthe lever 8 through an arc of 90 more or less. Lever 8 and the impactsurfaces 58 and 58a operate in the same lateral plane and need not be inexact alignment.

Attached to the impact member 57v by screw eye 59 is a spring 60 which Icall a cocking spring," the other end of which is connected to the valveoperating lever 8 by the screw 61.

with reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3; assuming the valve is open, theoperating lever 8 is in the longitudinal position with the stop 9aabutting the stop lug 10 on the valve body 2; the impact member 57 isheld by the tension of the spring 60 so that the impact surfaces 58 and58a are each an equal distance from the valve operating lever 8. Whenthe motor 51 is energized, the impact member 57 will travel 30,accelerating and building momentum, from point A in FIG. 3 to point Bwhere it will impact the operating lever 8 moving said lever to point Cof FIG. 3. Assuming that just a very short pulse of electricity 7 issent to the motor, lever 8 will stop at point C and, because the motoris not energized, the impact member 57 will be acted upon by the spring60 which pulls it back to a position where again the impact surfaces 58and 58a are in the same relative position with respect to the valveoperating lever 8 as it was at the start even though the valve operatinglever is now in a new position.

If the motor 51 is energized for a second or two, there will occurimmediately after the initial impact, continuous impulses of force uponthe operating lever as a result of the motor, though stalled, trying toovercome the load imposed upon it by the resistance to movement of thevalve element in its seat. These impulses move the lever 8 in steplikeincrements as indicated by dotted lines in FIG. 3 from point C to pointD, whereupon the operating lever is stopped by the stop lug 10. Ofcourse, the action can be terminated at any desired point between pointC and D.

FIG. 4 through 11 illustrate various modifications of impact memberswhich can be interchangeably used with the actuator and FIG. 12 is thewiring diagram of the actuator and controls for effecting valve openingor closing by a single or multiple impulse as will be hereinafterdescribed.

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate a detail of the impact member 57 as shown onthe actuator in FIGS. 1,2 and 3. The impact surfaces 58 and 58a willtravel the same distance in either direction before striking theoperating lever 8, exerting a force which is equal in either direction.

FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate an impact member having impact surfaces formedat different angles with respect to the screw eye 59, the screw eye iscentrally disposed with the operating lever by virtue of the tensionspring 60. The impact surface 70a will travel a greater distance,accelerate longer thus developing greater momentum than impact surface70 and therefore, will impart a greater blow to the operating lever. Theimpact member of FIGS. 10 and 11 have impact surfaces designed for agreat amount of free travel to develop greater momentum as compared tothe impact element of FIG. 6, for example, and may be substituted for itin the actuator to allow for operation of the valve at a greater workingpressure.

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate an adjustable impact member designated bynumeral 80, having threaded holes 81 into which threaded lugs 82 and 82amay be placed at various distances from the spring attachment screw-eye59 so that various degrees of travel of the lugs 82 and 82a constitutethe impact can be obtained. The lugs 82 and 82a constitute the impactsurfaces of the impact member 80.

The circuit consists of a stepdown transformer 90, an automobile typedirection signal flasher that causes the lights of the automobile toblink on and off; a single pole double throw switch 92 one position foropening the valve and the other position to close the valve; two relays93 and 94, one for opening the valve and one for closing the valve; twolimit switches 95 and 96 spaced apart. The limit switches are in thepath of movement of the valve operating lever 8. The switches arenormally closed. The numeral 97 designates the armature and 98 the fieldcoil of motor 51.

To open the valve with a single impact providing that the motor torqueis sufficient to overcome the valve operating lever 8, it would be onlynecessary to move the single pole double throw switch 92 to the openposition. As the switch is closed the current wouldflow through thetransformer 90; through the flasher 91; through the opening relay 93 andthrough the limit switch then back to the ta transformer 90. Because thetorque of the motor can overcome the friction and inertia of the valveoperating parts the impact member 57 will move the operating lever 8 ofthe valve immediately to the closed position and in doing so theoperating lever 8 strikes that the limit switch 96 and causes it to openthus opening the circuit and stopping the motor 51.

If the torque output of the motor 51 is unable to close the valve 2 inone stroke as above, then the flasher 91 comes into play. The current tothe relay 93 and 94 as the case may be is fed in pulses, each pulseenergizing the motor momentarily causing the impact member 57 to strikethe operating lever 8.

As the pulse of current is only a fraction of a second the motor 51 isdeenergized allowing the cocking spring 60 to return the impact member57 to its same position relative to the operating lever 8. A secondpulse of current to the motor 51 again causes the impact member 57 tostrike the operating lever 8. This interplay between the cocking spring60 and the flasher 91 that produces pulses of electrical current willcontinue until the operating lever strikes the limit switch 95 or 96thus cutting off the current to the motor.

From the above descriptionof the two methods of operation of the impactmember it is evident that if the pulse of electric current to the motoris of sufficient duration the valve will be opened or closed with oneimpact. The second method using an automobile type flasher 91 in thecircuit brings out the important function of the cocking spring 60. Whenthere is current fed to the motor 51 the tension of the spring 60 isovercome; when the current to the motor 51 ceases then the tension ofthe spring moves the impact member 57 and the arma ture of the motorback to its normal position relative to the valve operating lever.

By means of the modified impact members of FIGS. 4 through 11, incooperation with the cocking spring 60, impact blows of greatermagnitude in a preferred direction may be obtained. For example, itrequires more force to open a plug valve than is required to close itunder the same conditions. Therefore, it would be desireable to haveimpact surfaces on the impact member that are relative to the operatinglever of the valve so that one impact surface travels further than theother when the actuator is energized to open the valve, allowing forgreater momentum, and consequently a stronger blow upon the valveoperating lever in this desired direction.

it is also apparent that the impact device may be adjusted after it isinstalled to meet changes in the operating conditions. For example, ifthe pressure at which the valve is operating is not satisfactory, and isincreased, an adjustment of the impact surface of the impact member maybe made to allow for more free travel and thus more impact force. Suchadjustment may obviate the need for replacing the actuator with one oflarger size. Likewise, if the line pressure is reduced or otherconditions change which would require less force to operate the valve,the actuator can be adjusted to meet the new requirements. Under suchcircumstances, the impact surfaces will be adjusted to travel a shorterdistance, therefore, developing less impact force.

The same fundamental motor characteristics as referred to in my earlierapplication Ser. No. 627,802, are employed here, namely, the ability ofa series wound motor to develop several times its rated power outputwhen stalled or nearly stalled, and by utilizing a cocking spring andabutments on either side of the impact member and adjusting the relativeposition of these abutments with respect to the valve operating lever, Ican obtain very close control of the impact delivered to the operatinglever which makes the present embodiment of the invention a very goodactuator for modulating control.

The time period between impacts may be a fraction of a second, or lengthof time. Thus the valve may be opened very rapidly or very slowly and toany degree, depending upon the number of impacts and the time intervalsbetween impacts.

The valve stops moving the very instant the current to the motor isstopped. These facts make this actuator well suited to control systemsthat may be programmed for repetitive actions.

Although one embodiment of the invention has been herein illustrated anddescribed, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications may be made in the details of construction withoutdeparting from the principles herein set forth.

lclaim:

1. An electric valve actuating mechanism comprising:

a reversible electric motor having the characteristic of developingseveral times its rated power output when stalled or nearly stalled;

an impact member mounted to rotate with the armature shaft of said motorhaving spaced impact surfaces;

a valve in alignment with said impact member having an operating leverfor engagement by said spaced impact surfaces; and

a cocking spring connected to said operating lever and to said impactmember to maintain a fixed relation of said lever and impact surfaceswhen the motor is deenergized whereby to provide successive blows ofpredetermined force on said operating lever throughout its length oftravel.

2. An electric valve actuating mechanism as set forth in claim 1 inwhich the valve operating lever is movable between limit switches forbreaking the motor circuit at the end of its valve opening or closingmovement.

3. An electric valve actuating mechanism as set forth in claim 1 inwhich the motor is connected to a transformer in an electric currenthaving a pair of relays, a single pole double throw switch and a currentpulsating device to subject said lever to successive pulses.

4. An electric valve actuating mechanism as set forth in claim 1 inwhich the spacing of the impact surfaces of the impact member determinesthe intensity of the impact blow.

5. An electric valve actuating mechanism as set forth in claim 4 inwhich the spacing of the impact surfaces is adjustable and variable.

6. An electric valve mechanism as set forth in claim 1 in which one endof the cocking spring is secured to the extended end of the valveoperating lever and the other end is connected centrally of the impactsurfaces of said impact member.

7. An electric valve mechanism as set forth in claim 1 in which thevalve operating lever is movable throughout an angle between spaced lugson said lever and a fixed stop on said valve housing.

1. An electric valve actuating mechanism comprising: a reversibleelectric motor having the characteristic of developing several times itsrated power output when stalled or nearly stalled; an impact membermounted to rotate with the armature shaft of said motor having spacedimpact surfaces; a valve in alignment with said impact member having anoperating lever for engagement by said spaced impact surfaces; and acocking spring connected to said operating lever and to said impactmember to maintain a fixed relation of said lever and impact surfaceswhen the motor is deenergized whereby to provide successive blows ofpredetermined force on said operating lever throughout its length oftravel.
 2. An electric valve actuating mechanism as set forth in claim 1in which the valve operating lever is movable between limit switches forbreaking the motor circuit at the end of its valve opening or closingmovement.
 3. An electric valve actuating mechanism as set forth in claim1 in which the motor is connected to a transformer in an electriccurrent having a pair of relays, a single pole double throw switch and acurrent pulsating device to subject said lever to successive pulses. 4.An electric valve actuating mechanism as set forth in claim 1 in whichthe spacing of the impact surfaces of the impact member determines theintensity of the impact blow.
 5. An electric valve actuating mechanismas set forth in claim 4 in which the spacing of the impact surfaces isadjustable and variable.
 6. An electric valve mechanism as set forth inclaim 1 in which one end of the cocking spring is secured to theextended end of the valve operating lever and the other end is connectedcentrally of the impact surfaces of said impact member.
 7. An electricvalve mechanism as set forth in claim 1 in which the valve operatinglever is movable throughout an angle between spaced lugs on said leverand a fixed stop on said valve housing.